Document-file.



& 0 9 1 O 1 Y L U J D E T. N E T A P m S M E m E m D APPLICATION FILED AUG. 31. 1903.

.1 rzdeizivr (5M a. flaw Attorney THE NORRIS PETERS cu" WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. PHELPS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DOCUMENT-FILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1906.

Application filed August 31. 1903- Serial No, 171,328-

and effective compressor for such documents, &c., when placed within the file for storage.

The principles of my invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a single skeleton drawer or file, adapted to be placed with others in a suitable pigeonhole or drawer-opening. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the compressor, showing the file-base in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portion of Fig. 1 on the dotted line 3 3. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailof the lower end of the securingslide.

Referring further to the drawings, in which like letters of reference denote like parts throughout, Ais the front of a skeleton drawer or file of the type commonly used for filing folded papers and legal documents. B is the base thereof, and C C represent metallic railings which act as sides of the drawer or file to keep the documents placed therein from lateral displacement.

The base B is so constructed that a follower-block D may be secured thereto by means hereinafter to be described. A practical method of constructing the bottom of the file is shown in the drawings, in which I) represents a groove running centrally throughout the length thereof, and b b are thin metallic strips seated in rabbets b, flush with the bottom of the drawer and secured inplace, so that their edges overlap the sides of the groove 1). Other forms of construction may be substituted for that shown and described, the essential feature being that there shall be a continuous longitudinal structure under which the attaching means on the follower-block may be engaged, and any construction which provides this condition is to be considered equivalent thereto.

A slide E is attached to the follower-block so as to have free vertical movement thereon. The said slide is provided with a lug or lugs e, which in the latter case together form a head E. A simple and inexpensive means of producing the structure shown is by cutting the notches e in the slide E, the unremoved material therebetween being left of substantially the width of the space between the strips b. A groove (1 may be madecentrally of the follower-block, which provides a seat and guide for the slide E. To the upper portion of such slide a cam-lever G is pivotally attached by the rivet g. stationary bearing for the cam of the lever is to be attached to the follower-block, and this may be provided by the strip F, which when placed in the position shown also holds the slide in positionin the groove d. The lower part of said strip F may be bent outwardly from the follower-block and should be of such a length that the main edge of the end shall rest upon the base or the file. A lug f on the end of the brace thus formed may be seated in the space between the strips 1), the whole construction being adapted to brace the follower-block when secured by the action of the slide and cam-lever and to prevent the same from twisting out of position when the same are loosened to release the papers filed.

It will be seen that whenever it is desired to move or shift the follower-block a turn of the cam-lever to the left will loosen the grip of the lugs 6 upon the under side of the strips 1). The follower-block can then be readily moved to any desired position, whereupon a reverse movement of the cam-lever G to the right will draw such lugs into engagement with the under side of the attachingstrips and firmly plant the lower end of the follower-block upon the base of the file, thus holding it securely in any desired position, and when so held the brace f tends to rigidly sustain the follower in vertical position against the pressure of papers on the front thereof.

I have described my inventon by reference to a simple and practical embodiment thereof; but I expressly state that I am not to be limited to the construction shown and described; but

I claim 1. In a document-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a slide thereon ada ted to reach below the base-strip and ma e engagement therewith, a cam-lever pivoted to said slide, and a relatively stationary bearing for the cam-lever.

2. In adocument-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a slide on the follower, a lug on the slide adapted to engage the base-strip on the under side, a cam-lever pivoted to the slide, and a relatively stationary bearing for the cam-lever.

3. In a document-file having attached base and end 3 a groove in the base, strips on either side of the said groove with edges overlapping the same, a follower, a slide thereon adapted to reach below the base-strip, a camlever pivotally attached to the slide, and a relatively stationary bearing for the cam-lever.

4. In a document-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a groove therein, a slide movable in the groove adapted to engage the lower side of the basestrip, a plate attached to the follower adapted to hold the slide in the groove, a cam-lever pivoted to the slide, and a relatively stationary bearing for the cam-face thereof.

5. In a document-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a groove therein, a slide movable in the groove adapted to engage the lower side of the basestrip, a cam-lever thereon, a plate attached to the follower adapted to hold the slide in the groove and to form a bearing for the camlever, and means for bringing the slide into engagement with the under side of the basestrip.

6. In a document-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a

groove therein, a slide movable in the groove adapted to engage the lower side of the basestrip, a plate attached to the follower adapted to hold the slide in the groove and to brace the follower against the base of the file, a cam-lever pivoted to the slide, and a relatively stationary bearing for the cam-face thereof.

7. In a document-file having attached base and end; a strip on the base, a follower, a groove therein, a slide movable in the groove adapted to engage the lower side of the basestrip, a cam-lever thereon, a plate attached to the follower adapted to hold the slide in the groove one end of which forms a bearing for the cam-lever and the other end of which forms a brace for the follower, and means for bringing the slide into engagement with the under side of the base-strip.

8. In a document-file having a base and a follower thereon; a slide mounted on the follower to secure the same to the base, a camlever pivoted to the follower and having a stationary bearing thereon and a brace extending downward and backward from the follower and adapted to be brought into operative engagement with the base by the movement of the cam-lever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of August, A. D. 1903.

CHARLES A. PHELPS.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. HALL C. K. CHAMBERLAIN. 

